The Threat to Female Adolescent Development from Covid-19

The Threat to Female Adolescent Development from Covid-19

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Researchers

Amrit Amirapu,

Niaz Asadullah, 

Zaki Wahhaj

Abstract

The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted economic and educational activities in Bangladesh and the wider region. In social settings with a high incidence of early marriage, educational institutions provide a safe space for adolescent girls, and the social network support provided by teachers and classmates play a critical role in preventing early marriages. Therefore, while educational institutions remain closed during the current pandemic, adolescent girls are likely to face heightened marriage pressures. We attempt to shed light on this emerging issue by investigating the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the practice of female early marriage. We make use of data collected between June 2018 and May 2019 as part a randomised intervention to study the effects of a new child marriage law in Bangladesh as well as data on children’s education and early marriages collected in June 2020 with support from UK Aid.

Project Outcomes of Interest

The key outcome measures used to examine the effects of COVID-19 are: self-reported measures of income loss, disruption to learning time, school enrolment status, intention to return to school after the lockdown, marital status and marriage offers.

Partners

University of Kent

Malaya University

Key Findings

Interim Policy Brief (September 2020)

Impact Goals

  • Improve social-safety net responses
  • Improve women’s health, safety, and economic empowerment
  • Keep children safe, healthy, and learning

Project Data Collection Mode

  • CAPI (Computer-assisted personal interviewing)

Link to Pre-Registration

https://www.socialscienceregistry.org/trials/3035

Implementing Organization

University of Kent

Results Status

No Results Yet